Finding cycling clothes that fit shouldn't feel like searching for a unicorn. Yet for plus-size riders, that's the frustrating reality. The cycling industry has long assumed serious cyclists come in certain sizes—a myth that's kept passionate riders in ill-fitting gear or pushed them out completely.
Here's the truth: your body deserves performance fabrics that breathe. You need padded shorts that cushion where it counts. You deserve jerseys designed with your proportions in mind, not as an afterthought.
The landscape is shifting. A growing number of plus-size cycling clothing brands now create inclusive cycling gear that doesn't compromise on style or function. Hunting for extended size cycling apparel that handles century rides? Want to feel confident on your morning commute? This guide cuts through the noise to highlight brands that understand what comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies should deliver.
Every rider, regardless of size, deserves the freedom of a perfect ride. You need gear that moves with you, not against you.
Machines For Freedom (MFF) - Plus-Size Cycling Clothing Brands
Jenn Kriske founded Machines For Freedom in 2014 in California. She noticed something basic: women's cycling apparel caused real pain and injury because it didn't fit. For close to ten years, MFF did more than sell cycling clothes. They changed what inclusive cycling gear could be.
Their sizing went from XXS to XXXL. But numbers alone didn't make them special. MFF tested every design on over 24 different body types. Not models. Real cyclists with real curves, real proportions, real bodies that spend hours in the saddle.
What Made MFF Different for Plus-Size Cyclists
The Essential Cycling Shorts became legendary among larger riders. High-rise waistband that stayed put. Seamless leg bands that didn't dig or roll. A compressive fit that supported without strangling. Marley Blonsky, one rider, shared her story after ten years of cycling. MFF gave her the first kit that fit. That's when she understood what good lycra should feel like.
Their Endurance Bib and Summerweight Long Sleeve Pant delivered plus size padded bike shorts with chamois positioned right where bigger bodies needed cushioning. No bunching. No weird gaps. No compromises.
The brand featured diverse bodies in films like Hermanas and Pedal Through . This challenged cycling's narrow beauty standards. They proved body positive cycling brands could deliver performance without taking away anyone's dignity.
Specialized bought MFF in 2018. They closed it around 2023. That closure created a painful gap in size inclusive activewear cycling options. Plus-size riders still feel it today.
Velocio - Plus-Size Cycling Clothing Brands with Extended Sizing
Velocio builds cycling clothes for how your body works on a bike. Not how you stand in front of a mirror. Not based on mannequin proportions. Their extended sizing hits 3XL across most men's collections. Select pieces reach 4XL. Size tags tell part of the story.
The brand knows something crucial: sizing alone won't fix cycling's deeper problem. "Opening the door for more people to feel 'at home' within cycling and not left out"—that's their stated mission. This shows in how they design every garment. Each piece works for riding position. Your back curves forward. Your arms stretch long.
Fit That Works With Your Body
Velocio overlaps their size boundaries. Between a large and XL? You choose based on what you need. Smaller for race-tight compression. Larger for breathing room on century rides. This choice matters. You're 200 pounds and wondering if lycra will strangle or support.
At 6'3", their jacket sleeves cover your wrists. You're hunched over handlebars. Most brands make you pick: sleeves that fit, or a body that fits. Velocio refuses that compromise.
The fabric gives. Real stretch moves as you pedal. This isn't fabric that claims to be "technical." True to size with slight snugness at heavier weights. Then it perfects as you ride yourself leaner.
Different Lines, Different Compression
Pro Team squeezes tight for wind-cheating speed. Core, Classic, and Brevet lines ease off that pressure. Explore and Trail collections give you room to layer. Room to breathe. Room to forget you're wearing performance gear.
The Foundation Jersey costs less drama than you'd expect. One hundred percent recycled polyester. Relaxed unless you size down for racing. UPF 30 keeps sun off your shoulders. Three back pockets swallow nutrition, phone, keys.
Their Radiator Mesh Jersey won awards for good reason. Polartec Delta fabric mixed with Tencel cools your core. Perforated mesh on sleeves and back dumps heat. Gravel races and brutal summer climbs become bearable. Breathable cycling clothing extended sizes means breathable, not marketing speak.
The Merino Jersey flexes with your body's natural variations. Between sizes? Go smaller—merino forgives and adapts. The zippered valuables pocket includes waterproof lining. Your phone survives sweat. Reflective details catch headlights during pre-dawn rides.
Design Details That Matter
Black side panels don't just look sharp. They create visual lines that flatter curvier proportions. Smart shaping at waist and hips. Not camouflage. Strategic construction.
Flat stitched seams cut down on chafing points. Every seam considers where comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies need smoothness, not irritation. The mesh front removes chest pressure. FlyFree back design? Nature breaks become possible without contortionist moves.
Elastic gripper bands hold leg bands secure. Fair warning: they grip hard at first. You might loosen them after first wash. Better tight than riding up mid-climb.
Velocio's size inclusive activewear cycling approach puts them ahead of brands stuck at XXL. Rapha and Pas Normal Studios cap their ranges there. Velocio keeps building bigger. Their XXXL to 4XL selection matches Velovixen, Cyclology, and Stolen Goat. But the design philosophy differs.
Every garment uses recycled polyester or natural merino. Bonded hems stay chafe-free for years. Protected zippers at waist won't scratch your stomach. Waterproof lining protects what matters.
The Anorak Jacket runs $389. Not cheap. Plus size performance cycling wear that lasts five seasons costs less per ride. Compare that to replacing cheap gear every year. Your math may vary. Your comfort shouldn't.
Veloine - Germany's Top Brand of Oversized Cycling Clothing
Munich-based Veloine launched in 2019 with a bold idea: women's bodies change. Cycling clothes should change with them. Germany's cycling apparel market hit USD 309.4 million in 2022. Most brands chased the same demographic. Veloine took a different path.
They built the first complete cycling kit for pregnant women. That 2021 Eurobike Gold Award wasn't just a trophy. It proved their design approach worked. Performance doesn't need rigid fits. Bodies expand, contract, and shift through seasons and life stages. Your gear should flex with those changes.
Design Philosophy Beyond Maternity
The pregnancy kit taught them something valuable about comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies . Low-compression fabrics support without choking. Adjustable details handle body changes. These ideas shaped their broader women's line.
Their Trail Jersey delivers airflow where trail riders need it most—shoulders, back, underarms. Tough panels protect high-impact zones during crashes or brush contact. The fabric moves. Truly moves. Not the fake stretch that binds after ten minutes.
Germany's cycling wear market projects USD 561.5 million by 2030. Apparel claims 58.37% of that pie. Veloine stays boutique by choice. They're not chasing Ryzon's 43% Instagram follower growth. They're building gear that handles real rides for real bodies.
The sizing calculator on their site looks at more than chest and waist. Hip proportion matters. Torso length affects jersey fit as you bend forward. Shoulder width sets sleeve comfort during climbs. Input your measurements. Get recommendations based on your actual shape, not generic size charts.
Their XXS-XXXL range uses shape-friendly fits. Each size accounts for different body proportions within that category. XXXL doesn't just scale up from small. It redesigns panel placement, seam positioning, and fabric tension zones.
At $138 for their Trail Jersey, Veloine sits mid-range among cycling jerseys in larger sizes . Less than Velocio's premium pieces. More than mass-market brands that stop at XL. You're paying for German engineering applied to body-friendly design. For plus size performance cycling wear that gets how curves need different support than straight torsos.
Veloine won't lead Instagram follower counts. But riders who find their fit keep coming back. That 7.7% market growth through 2030 includes brands like this. Smaller operations solving problems the big players skip. Your pregnant body deserves performance gear. Your postpartum body deserves the same. Your body, period, deserves clothes designed for how it exists.
Samsara Cycle - A Large-Sized Bicycle Clothing Brand
Janet Hiebert started Samsara Cycle in Vancouver with one stubborn belief: women's bodies aren't problems to solve. They're designs to celebrate. Most cycling brands treat curves like hurdles. Samsara treats them like the starting point.
Their XXS to XXL range covers more ground than brands triple their size. But the size chart tells half the story. The other half? How those sizes fit. High-waisted bib shorts that don't create muffin tops. Leg elastics that grip without strangling. Chamois padding sits where your sit bones land, not where a male designer guessed.
Built Different From the Ground Up
The Getaway Shirt runs $113. You get moisture-wicking fabric with support that doesn't squeeze the breath out of you. The cut follows your body through riding position. Your back curves forward. Your shoulders round a bit. The fabric moves with that reality instead of fighting it.
Their bib shorts feature seamless chamois. No center seam to chafe during hour five of your century ride. The padding adapts to different body weights and riding styles. Weekend cruiser or competitive racer—the foam works for both.
Samsara's team stays small. Under 25 employees. Revenue below $5 million. That size lets them stay nimble. Customers say the shoulder straps dig? They redesign. Riders need pockets that hold a phone without bouncing? They add reinforced mesh.
The brand runs on ethical making and green practices. Not greenwashing. Real choices about fabric sources and production partners. Your plus size padded bike shorts shouldn't cost the planet or exploit workers.
Samsara competes against Paris-based Wilma and London's Rapha. Those brands offer special features—period-friendly tech, lifestyle services. Samsara keeps it simpler. Inclusive cycling gear that fits right and rides better. No gimmicks. Just comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies made by women who ride them.
D2D (UK-based) - A British brand of oversized bicycle clothing
A group of cyclists sat in a Peak District café in April 2014. Rolling roads outside. Coffee inside. They'd just spent hundreds on gear that didn't quite fit right. That conversation turned into D2D Cycling Ltd. They registered just outside Sheffield. Companies House number 09717282 if you need proof it's real.
Their model cuts out the expensive parts. No plus-size cycling clothing retailer markups. No pro team sponsorships. No glossy magazine spreads. Just quality affordable cycling clothes sold direct to you. Word of mouth does their marketing. Your recommendation matters more than any ad campaign.
Sizing That Goes Big
S to 4XL. The D2D+ plus size series hits UK size 22. Those aren't marketing numbers. Customer reviews prove it. "The place that came close to my wife's size." "Gear to fit me well." "Proper cycle clothing for large bodied cyclists."
The Pro Fit II bibshorts earned praise for their chamois and larger-size fit. The Peloton bib shorts handled a 100k sportive for riders who prefer knees-out positioning. Windshield jackets fit bigger husband-and-wife pairs. No compromise needed. Winter bib tights work for older, heavier riders who've given up on other brands.
D2D offers tall cyclist legwear too. Long legs and big builds can both find what they need.
The Direct-Sales Difference
Half the cost of Altura Progel. "Top quality for half the cost," customers write. "Budget prices" that don't mean budget performance. The UK cycling wear market hit USD 228.2 million in 2022. Apparel claims 59.29% of that share. D2D carved their space by keeping prices low through direct sales.
You won't find exact price lists in their marketing. Just consistent feedback: "excellent prices," "very reasonable," "really low."
Free UK delivery on everything. Orders arrive in two days, sometimes faster. Quick answers to sizing questions - that's their first-class service. They're an "approachable bunch" who help with problems. That local support matters between sizes. You get real guidance.
Worldwide shipping brings D2D's inclusive cycling gear beyond Britain's borders. The UK market projects USD 425.2 million by 2030 at 8.1% annual growth. Plus size performance cycling wear drives part of that expansion. Bodies that struggle with mainstream brands find what they need here.
Five-star reviews span 2018 to 2023. Same themes repeat: quality holds up, fit works for larger builds, prices beat premium brands, service responds fast. D2D doesn't chase trends. They solve the problem they started with. Comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies at prices that don't punish you for needing extended sizes.
Montella Cycling - A British brand of oversized bicycle clothing
The co-owners knew this problem well. They shopped for plus-size cycling clothing brands and hit dead ends. Disappointment followed every search. So they built what the market refused to make: a brand where 3XL is just the starting line.
Sizing goes up to 6XL for both men and women. Not as an extra option. As standard stock. This extended size cycling apparel range beats brands that stop at XXL and call themselves inclusive.
Size Charts That Make Sense
Jerseys need your chest measurement. Bibs need your waist. Simple inputs. No math degree required. The loose fit design matters here. Montella won't squeeze you into race-cut compression. These comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies follow your curves. They don't strangle them. You get freedom to move and breathe. Plus, you can enjoy the ride.
The fabric works hard. Stretchy material moves with your pedal stroke. Quick-dry tech pulls sweat away fast. The shorts use Italian materials. Premium brands charge double for the same stuff. Breathable cycling clothing extended sizes that match those expensive kits.
Direct Pricing Cuts the Markup
Buy from Montella's site and save up to 45% versus retail stores. Their EU website drops prices 40% below what shops charge. This direct-to-consumer model keeps size inclusive activewear cycling affordable. You skip the showroom rent. You skip the middleman cuts.
Five hundred jersey designs and colors give you options. Something fits your style and your body. The body positive cycling brands approach is clear: clothes made for the cyclist you are today. Not the body someone else thinks you should have.
Big & Tall Bike (Zinn) - Customized oversized bike clothing brand
Lennard Zinn spent forty years solving a problem most brands ignore: bikes that fit big and tall bodies. His Colorado-based Zinn Cycles doesn't mass-produce medium frames and hope you squeeze in. They build custom titanium and steel bicycles from small to 4XL. Every fork. Every frame. Sized for your real measurements.
You're 6'7" and tired of top tubes that stretch you like taffy? Zinn's custom geometry fixes that. Traditional "tall" bikes just make everything longer. This creates odd riding positions. Your back hurts. Your neck aches. Zinn measures how your body bends on a bike. Then builds the frame around that.
Custom Titanium for Real-World Bodies
The 3D Retül analysis captures your natural position. Gold Medal Bike fit method turns data into frame specs. You get titanium that fits like a second skin. Not aluminum that snaps under heavy riders. Not carbon with profit margins built in instead of strength.
Titanium gravel bikes handle big riders on rough terrain. The material flexes and absorbs shock. Carbon cracks. Aluminum wears out. Titanium keeps rolling through years of hard use.
His partnership with KHS brings stock steel frames for riders who fit standard sizing. But custom remains the core. Extended size cycling apparel has brands like Velocio and D2D. Extended size bikes? That's Zinn's territory.
The custom electric gravel bike proved something key. Big riders need motor assist that doesn't feel like cheating. ECO mode. 75°F outdoor testing. Forty percent battery left after a full ride. Got body issues? That titanium e-bike means staying in the saddle longer.
Riders under 5'5" face the opposite problem. The market dumps sixty-pound e-bikes on them. Zinn builds lightweight custom titanium. You don't need huge strength to handle it.
This isn't clothing. But comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies need bikes that fit first. You can't enjoy the best jersey if your frame geometry causes pain. Zinn solves the foundation problem. Then those plus size performance cycling wear pieces from other brands work right.
dhb (Under the brand name Wiggle) - A large-sized bicycle clothing brand
Wiggle launched dhb in 2004 to fill gaps the cycling market kept ignoring. Twenty years later, their house brand delivers quality gear. No premium markup. No pro team sponsorships inflating costs. No glossy catalogs eating your wallet. Just solid gear at fair prices. Needing larger sizes won't cost you extra.
The brand grabbed 24% of women's sales in their peak years. That number matters because dhb refused the lazy "shrink it and pink it" approach. Women got dedicated designs. Not men's cuts made smaller. This thinking shapes their sizing too. The MODA collection reaches UK size 18 at XXL. Real extended sizing for bodies the industry skips.
The Wiggle Advantage
Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles merged their retail muscle. By January 2016, Wiggle dominated market share over CRC. Together, they command 55% of online cycling retail. That e-commerce power? dhb ships worldwide. No local shop controls your access to extended size cycling apparel .
Jerseys make up 27% of dhb's product range. These pieces anchor starter kits for new riders. Testing whether cycling sticks? dhb won't demand premium prices before you commit. You get entry-level pricing. Plus genuine performance fabric. Quick-dry materials. Mesh panels for airflow. Breathable cycling clothing extended sizes that work through summer rides.
The platforms run constant sales. That 55% online dominance creates price competition. You catch deals that brick-and-mortar stores can't match. Size inclusive activewear cycling stays affordable and available. dhb shows body positive cycling brands can skip luxury pricing and still deliver quality rides.
Berunclothes - Top Plus-Size Cycling Clothing Manufacturer
BeRunClothes works different than retail brands chasing your credit card. They make the gear those brands sell. Production happens in China. You get factory pricing. Order minimums work for small cycling labels and clubs launching inclusive cycling gear lines.
The baseline? 300 pieces total . Not per style. Total across your order. Want to test plus size padded bike shorts in three colors? Split that 300-piece minimum across sizes S through XXXL. You need $6,000 to $15,000 capital for jersey-and-bib combos. Most China factories require 300 to 500 pieces per style . BeRunClothes cuts that floor way down.
Low-Volume Production Without Bankruptcy
Runs of 50 to 300 pieces cost more per unit. Expect 40% to 80% higher pricing versus bulk orders. That premium buys flexibility. Test your extended size cycling apparel concept before spending big on inventory. $4,000 to $8,000 capital gets you market validation. Learn what sells. Then scale up.
Sample production skips MOQs. One to five pieces per size . You pay sample fees instead. Your designer needs physical prototypes? BeRunClothes makes them. Brand founders can test fit on real plus-size riders before production starts.
Orders under 50 to 80 pieces trigger 15% to 40% price jumps . Factory math works against tiny batches. But brands serving niche markets—like comfortable cycling clothes for bigger bodies —need this option. You're building community, not chasing Walmart volumes.
Complexity Drives Cost
Multi-panel jerseys need skilled labor. Bonded seams. Sublimated prints. Silicone grippers at leg bands. Each technical feature adds production time. It requires expertise. Flatlock stitching costs more than standard seams. Your breathable cycling clothing extended sizes with mesh panels and compression zones? That complexity appears in the quote.
Smart ordering spreads 100 to 300 total pieces across sizes S through XXL. Five to ten units per size. Multi-design runs work better at 200 to 500 total pieces . The China bicycle apparel market hit $696.2 million in 2024 . Growth projects 6.2% per year toward $1.27 billion by 2034 . Global buyers know Chinese factories deliver quality and low prices.
Cycling tops sales reached $2.35 billion in 2024 . Forecasts show $4.14 billion by 2034 at 5.8% growth per year . BeRunClothes connects you to that production network. Your plus size performance cycling wear brand gains from proven supply chains and technical know-how. Factory direct means no retail markup cutting your margin.
How to Choose the Right Plus-Size Cycling Clothing
Your measurements tell the truth that generic size labels hide. Start there. Grab a cloth measuring tape—not the stiff metal kind from your toolbox. Stand straight. Put your feet shoulder-width apart. No sucking in. No slouching. Measure three key points: chest at the widest part, waist at the narrowest spot, hips at the fullest point. Write these numbers down. They matter more than any XL or 2X tag ever will.
Now comes the matching game. Each brand builds their size charts in unique ways. Primalwear's 2X fits waists between 42 and 46 inches, chests from 47 to 49 inches, hips spanning 45 to 47 inches. Their 5X+ opens up to waists over 54 inches. Trek's men's 2XL handles chests up to 49 inches but stops there. Giordana offers 4XL and 5XL through special orders only. You'll wait longer. But you get bigger coverage.
Reading Between the Size Numbers
Brand charts show ranges, not rigid rules. Your chest measures 48 inches? You sit right between Trek's XL (44-46") and 2XL (47-49"). Pick based on what you need. Snug performance fit? Go with the 2XL. Want room to layer a base layer underneath? That same 2XL gives you breathing space without going baggy.
Height changes everything for tall riders. You're over 6'4" and built chunky? Size up one to two spots. Your torso needs length. Standard XL might fit your chest. But it'll ride up your back on the handlebars. At 6'6" or taller, jump two full sizes. Primalwear's arm warmers prove this point. Their 2X stretches 20.5 inches long. Bicep coverage runs from 14 to 16 inches. Regular sizes leave tall arms exposed.
Pearl Izumi's men's XXL tops out at 49-inch chests and 39.5-inch waists. Jelenew scales their women's line from XXXS (76cm bust) upward. Check women's Trek sizing: their 2XL accommodates 37-39 inch waists and 48-49 inch hips. Match these against your actual measurements. Close calls? Go with the larger size. Lycra forgives nothing too small.
Conclusion
Finding best plus-size cycling clothing brands for all body types used to be tough—but not anymore. Machines For Freedom offers inclusive sizing. Veloine brings European craftsmanship. dhb provides affordable options. Today's cycling gear reflects the diversity of riders on the road. Premium plus size padded bike shorts from Velocio give you top performance. Big & Tall Bike offers custom solutions. The right gear exists to support your ride.
The cycling community needs comfortable, high-performance gear that fits everyone. Don't settle for jerseys that don't fit right. Uncomfortable shorts will cut your ride short. Check the sizing guides these brands provide. Read reviews from riders with similar body types. Your cycling journey deserves equipment that celebrates your body.
Ready to upgrade your kit? Start with one quality piece from these size inclusive activewear cycling brands. Proper fit makes a huge difference. Your next best ride is waiting.
